I didn’t know it was getting dark out until the numbness and stone started creeping up from my toes.

She sighed, “Good night, Angelpunk,” and nestled deeper into my arms.

“You’re sure no monsters can get into this place?”

Her hair slid against my skin when she nodded.

Before the stone closed over my face, I did a quick search for some sort of opening to the sky, but there was nothing. The stars could never find us in this cave.

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The whole night through, I listened to make sure she was right about the monsters.

She was.

We were safe. Really safe.

Hours later, when the stone started to break away, I jumped out of Cherie’s arms and crowed at the top of my lungs because tomorrow night I wouldn’t have to listen or watch for anything. I wouldn’t have to wait, dying in terror, for the stars to creep down from the black water and drag me up to drown with them.

She was grinning up at me like sunshine. “What was that for?”

I snorted. “Don’t tell me your guys don’t even crow. What are they for?”

She laughed and pulled me back down into the nest with her.